Chapter 7 An ancient evil.

Aragorn returned to the room early next morning and knock lightly on the door, Miawynn answered it and he entered the room.

"Is he awake yet?" He asked softly. Miawynn was about to answer when his friends voice reached him.

"Of course when big clod hopping humans run up and down the corridor," Aragorn smiled and walked over to the bed. He was pleased to see that some colour had returned to the Elf's checks.

"How are you feeling my friend?" He asked him.

"Perfectly alright," Was the answer back from Legolas. Aragorn raised an eye brow at his friend and with a look on his face which clearly showed that he knew his friend was lying. "Alright it aches a little,"

"Well that is a little nearer the truth than your first statement," He sighed. "But you will be needed downstairs today," Legolas looked at him with some surprise. "But you need not think I am allowing you up because you fooled me Greenleaf," Aragorn told him sternly, he heard Miawynn's silvery laugh from behind him. " Its only because Gandalf returned last night," There was another knock at the door and Thrandiul entered.

"Good morning to you all" he said. Then looked towards his son. "You look much better today,"

"Yes I was just about to tell him he could get up but he was not to strain himself other wise he will be back up here quicker than he could blink," Aragorn stated firmly. Thrandiul laughed to see the consternation on his sons face. Aragorn turned to the old king of Mirkwood.

"Have you heard that Mithrandir has returned?" the elf nodded.

"I believe that every one is gathering downstairs," He said. Legolas on hearing this slowly swung his legs off the bed and stood with a wince. Thrandiul and Aragorn left allowing him to dress with Miawynn's help. When they both arrived Aragorn noted that some of the colour in his friends face had left and he gratefully sank into a chair next to him, Gimli then sat on the chair on the other side, while Miawynn sat on the floor just in front of her husband resting her arms across his legs. Elrond came over to the prince with a cup in hand that held some steaming liquid.

"Here drink this it will help with the pain," He gave it to the prince.

"My thanks," Legolas said taking the cup with no arguments. Attention then slowly turned to Gandalf who had stood.

"Now I think," He told them all, "That it is now time that we all know what we are up against,"

"What have you managed to find out my friend?" asked Elrond. Gandalf's expression was grim.

"The creatures are called the Knoi," He told them. "They were powerful and deadly. They can steal the life force of any Elf that they touch," He sighed and looked at the horror stricken face looking at him. " They also are hard to kill as they seem to be able to heal themselves,"

"But Aragorn took ones head during the attack," Gimli said to them.

"It would still heal itself, no doubt that such an injury would take longer to heal but it would heal," Gandalf told him.

"Who could create such a creature?" Galadriel asked softly. Gandalf turned to face her and the other elves.

"Only one," He said to them. "Melkor," He clearly heard the gasps of surprise from the assembled elves.

"That is impossible," Thrandiul gasped out. "He was sent out into the void never able to return," Gandalf sighed.

"I know and I can assure you he has not returned," He quickly reassured them all. "But he set us all a trap that none of us could see,"

"What kind of trap?" Aragorn asked quickly.

"With the death of Sauron, Melkor knew that he would never be able to return,"

"So with Sauron's death these creatures came to life," Gimli stated. Gandalf nodded grimly.

"They are able to block any attempt we have at getting any help or just to able to talk to the other Valar," Gandalf told them sadly. "They can not help us and we can not help them, because I should imagine that they are having to deal with some side of this that we are not aware of,"

"So we are alone," Elrond said sadly. Gandalf nodded.

"Though may be not entirely," Legolas said softly,

"What do you mean?" Elrond asked. Legolas looked at Aragorn who sat next to him.

"May be they have sent all the help that they could," He shrugged. "They could have been prevented sending back eleven help but not human,"

"Legolas is right," Gandalf said. "I think that we must do everything that we can,"

"Which is my friend?" Elrond asked him.

"The Knoi have one leader," Gandalf told them. "If we deal with him the rest of them will be destroyed to,"

"how do we deal with it the creatures seem to be able to sense us," Thrandiul objected.

"I think that is where Aragorn and Gimli help," Gandalf said with a smile.

"There is no way that they are going with out me," Legolas protested.

"As things stand right now," Aragorn stated softly to his friend. "There is no chance of you going anywhere," Gandalf held up his hand to stop any more protests from Legolas.

"As things stand right now no one will be going any where for a while," he said grimly. "Much still has to be discussed and a plan formed,"

"If these creatures can heal themselves," Miawynn said softly. "How can we hope to kill their leader?" Gandalf turned to face her.

"I think there may be a way," He told them. "but it will take time to sort it out,"

"Do we have time," Thrandiul stated to them. "We can not be the only city affected by all this," Gandalf sighed.

"No this is not the only city affected," Gandalf sighed. "Some have lost up to half of their population,"

"I think that we all got so wrapped up in Sauron that we all forgot that he was only a servant and not the master," Galadriel said sadly. "Melkor's power was far stronger than Sauron's after all Melkor was one of the Valar,"

" Luckily that power has been greatly reduced," Gandalf said. "and is more into the idea of revenge," He looked around the room. "With the death of the Knoi all power from Melkor will finally be gone,"

"What plan do you have in mind? Old friend," Elrond asked.

"Time will be needed to put it all together," He told them, but his gaze rested on Legolas. Legolas face took on a puzzled look then it cleared.

"Aragorn and Gimli's presence will hide any elf's from the creatures," He said. "That's why they attacked Miawynn and Lonric and not me and Gimli," Gandalf nodded pleased that the elf had managed to put it together himself.

"I think we have gone as far as we can today," Gandalf said. "And there are things that I need time to prepare for,"

They all stood, Aragorn not leaving his friends side. Elrond looked across at them.

"The bandages need changing," He told them.

Gimli and Miawynn joined them in while they were changing the bandages.

"What has Gandalf got in mind do you think?" Gimli asked them, after Elrond had left.

"He wants us to destroy the Knoi leader," Legolas said softly, He was being to feel tired.

"But!" Gimli protested. Aragorn held up his hand glancing at Legolas.

"We can discuss this later," He told him. "Legolas needs to rest," Legolas would of protested, but he saw the point of what Aragorn said. Gimli glanced worriedly at him knowing that the stubborn elf would have normally protested.

The next day the wound was well on its way to healing and both Aragorn and Gimli was thankful for the quick healing of elves. Legolas and Miawynn took a walk around the gardens. He saw Aragorn come out of the house.

"Miawynn go back to the house," He said softly. "I need to asked Aragorn something," Miawynn nodded and lightly kissed her husband. He watched her walk back to the house.

Legolas watched Aragorn walk through the garden and followed him, he had sat down on a bench next to a small stream that ran through the garden. Legolas sat next to him.

"Ask your question my friend, "Aragorn said softly. "Its been fairly obvious that you have been waiting to ask," Legolas gave a small laugh.

"Have I been that obvious?"

"Only to me," Aragorn stated. Legolas gave a sigh.

"I need to know," He said. "But are you here because you want to be or because,"

"I had no choice?" Aragorn finished for him. "I was given a choice, I was not forced into coming,"

"So you do know who sent you!" Aragorn nodded. "and you do know more than you are saying,"

"The same Mithrandir dose," Aragorn stated. He sighed and looked at his friend his expression unreadable. " He knows who has to deal with Knoi," Legolas nodded.

"Yes the timing of his return to coincide with my arrival makes that obvious," He stated wryly.

"Then my being here is also obvious," Aragorn stated softly.

"You could hardly let Gimli have all the credit," Legolas teased lightly. Aragorn laughed.

"My friend I owe you much," Aragorn told him. "You stayed in middle earth until I died. You could have left and no one would have said anything against you,"

"There were many dangers we faced even after the death of Sauron,"

"Yes," Aragorn agreed. "And I could have faced them alone but I did not," Aragorn placed his hand on Legolas's arm. "How could I let you face a threat as big as Sauron alone," It was a simple statement that made Legolas feel humbled.

"I would have Gimli," Aragorn smiled.

"As you said I could hardly let him have all the credit," Aragorn looked directly at Legolas, "Be easy my friend I am here because I wish to be, Arwen understands," Legolas smiled as a weight seemed to lifted of his heart.

Two days later Legolas, his wife, Gimli and Aragorn where gathered in Elronds library, when Gandalf came in. He was not surprised to see the former king of Gondor

with them he knew that Aragorn rarely left Legolas's side, knowing to that he also knew more that what he told them.

"Legolas, Miawynn I need to ask something of you both," Why exactly he included Legolas's wife he did not know.

"Certainly Gandalf, what is it you want?" Legolas asked quickly.

"Blood from you both," Gimli gasped.

"What kind of craziness is this," He demanded angrily. "Legolas has only just recovered from one blood letting now your proposing another,"

"Gimli calm yourself," Aragorn told him.

" It is needed," Gandalf said. He looked at both Legolas and Miawynn. "I would not ask otherwise," Aragorn looked at Gandalf his face unsure.

"No one else's blood will do?" He asked. Gandalf shook his head.

"It has to be their blood,"

"How much will be needed?" Legolas asked him. Gandalf smiled at him.

"Not as much as to cause concern,"

"Why is needed?" Gimli asked. Gandalf sighed, knowing the dwarf was not likely to be at ease until he knew.

"It is needed for the blade," He told them.

"What blade?" Miawynn asked, her face puzzled.

"The blade to the knife that will be used on Knoi," Gandalf looked again at the assembled people in the room. "I don't think that a normal blade will have the effect that we want," He gave a quick glance at Aragorn who gave a small nod in conformation.

"But if the blade has traces of elfin blood it should work," Legolas continued. "But why Miawynn's as well as mine?" Gandalf gave a smile.

"Both male and female is required,"

"Your using magic to create it," Gimli stated. Gandalf nodded.

"There will be no mistakes this time," Gandalf stated. "The power of Melkor must end,"

They did not see him next day, but the next morning the wizard came in to see them.

"You will need this," Gandalf said and handed the Mirkwood prince a short bladed sword. Legolas took it from him and looked at it. The blade had a red tinge to it, he knew it was caused by the blood that both he and Miawynn had given. His fingers lightly touched the blade, it felt warm to touch. Confused he looked at Gandalf.

"Your blood gives it heat," He told him. "It will have to go into the heart, then twist the pommel in the direction of the suns travel and it will snap off,"

"That means he will have to be close to him," Gimli disapproved. Miawynn to did not look happy, but a grim look of determination came on her face.

"There is little other choice," Gandalf sighed. "I will not be there at the end," Gimli gasped.

"And what do you mean not there?" He asked. Gandalf smiled.

"Exactly what I say," He answered. He looked at the shocked face of Legolas, then looked at Aragorn his face showed no sign of surprise. "There could be any number of reasons why I am not there," Gandalf again looked at Legolas and knew that the prince would face Knoi alone.

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